Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Thursday, October 13, 2022.
READ: 'BBM can intervene in de Lima case'
ALBAY First District Rep. Edcel Lagman on Wednesday said that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. can intervene in the government's cases against former senator Leila de Lima, pointing out that the prosecution of criminal charges is an "executive function under his control and supervision pursuant to the Constitution." Lagman, the president of the Liberal Party, made the statement amid calls on Marcos to act on appeals for the Department of Justice to drop the charges against de Lima. Lagman said that de Lima is "not a flight risk" just like former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, "who was granted bail by the Supreme Court while facing plunder cases since his appearance in trials is assured and he would not evade the court's jurisdiction because of his public record, age and frailty of health."
READ: Law postponing SK, barangay polls signed
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has signed into law a bill postponing the December 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to October 2023. Marcos signed Republic Act (RA) 11935 on Monday, October 10. The new law read there shall be a synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, which shall be held on the last Monday of October 2023 and every three years thereafter. The term of office of officials elected in the 2023 barangay and SK elections shall commence at noon of November 30 following their election.
READ: Ateneo overtakes UP in World University Rankings
ATENEO de Manila University has dislodged the University of the Philippines as the country's top university based on the 2023 Times Higher Education's World University Rankings list. Ateneo was ranked 351-400 among the top universities in the world, while UP was at 801-1000, De La Salle University (DLSU) at 1201-1500, and Mapua University at 1501+. Ateneo scored high in teaching and citation performance indicators, while UP scored high in research, industry income and international outlook indicators. Ateneo received a higher ranking than UP last year, 601-800 among the world's top universities, followed by DLSU which at 1201+. UP has been ranked as the top school in the Philippines in the World University Rankings since the country was first included in the list in 2017. Other Philippine universities that submitted data to Times Higher Education but were not ranked were classified as "reporter" institutions. These include Cebu Technological University, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, University of Santo Tomas, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Tarlac Agricultural University, and Visayas State University. A "reporter" university is a learning institution that provided data to Times Higher Education but did not meet the eligibility criteria to receive a rank and has agreed to be displayed as a reporter in the final table.
READ: PH, Aussie troops hold combat tracking drills
CLOSE to 500 Philippine and Australian troops are currently engaged in side-by-side training in San Miguel, Bulacan, in relation to the almost month-long "Exercise Kasangga." In a statement on Wednesday, the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR) said that Filipino and Australian troops started their side-byside combat tracking operations at Camp Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan, on October 10. The FSRR said that the 3rd Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) troops and their Scout Ranger counterparts participated in a series of combat tracking drills at the camp. The Exercise Kasangga is aimed to enhance Scout Rangers' competency in urban operations. The Australian counterparts, on the other hand, expect to further develop their skills in jungle and mountain operations.
READ: Govt ready for 'Maymay' – Palace
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is in constant communication with key Cabinet members to prepare for the onslaught of Tropical Depression "Maymay," Malacañang said Wednesday. Office of the Press Secretary Officer in Charge Cheloy Garafil said that the President is closely monitoring the weather disturbance.
READ: Probe child cybersex abuse – lawmaker
DEPUTY Speaker and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar-Genuino sought an investigation into the rise of online child sexual abuse, with the Philippines having the unsavory reputation of being the leading producer of child pornography in the world. In filing House Resolution 453, Villar noted that online child abuse had grown widespread. The Philippines was identified as the world's hotspot for the livestream sexual abuse industry as early as 2016. The country was also ranked second for its vulnerability to cybercrime, which puts more minors and children in danger because they use the internet the most often.
BUSINESS: BSP to 'remain accommodative'
Over to business, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) monetary policy settings "remain accommodative," Governor Felipe Medalla said on Wednesday. During the Chamber of Thrift Banks Convention, Medalla said achieving a consistent inflation target is paramount to them. The BSP expects inflation to remain above the 2- to 4-percent target this year and will only fall below 4 percent in the second half of 2023. However, Medalla said being "target consistent" does not mean "we will always be below 4 percent."
SPORTS: Letran extends streak, keeps EAC winless
Topping sports, defending back-to-back champion Letran extended its winning streak to three games as it downed season host Emilio Aguinaldo College, 72-68, in the NCAA Season 98 men's basketball tournament Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Letran forward King Caralipio finished with 16 points and seven rebounds, while fellow wingman Brent Paraiso contributed 15 points and nine boards for the three-peat seeking Knights. Letran finished its first round elimination round campaign with a 6-3 record. However, the team needed to execute key plays down the stretch to beat EAC. Down by five points, 70-65, the General's Mac Balowa buried a three-pointer that trimmed the deficit to just two points, 68-70, with 1:04 left in the game. EAC forced Letran to a turnover as Caralipio committed a traveling violation, but forward Allen Liwag missed a three-point shot that could have given the General the lead.
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta, and Danton Remoto are today's front page columnists. Contreras wants a middle ground in opinions, Makabenta gives his insight on the first 100 days of the Marcos administration, and Remoto tackles on the world of surrogate mothers.
Today's editorial analyzes the recent confusion between the Chinese embassy and Philippine officials over a recent blacklist where Chinese tourists are not permitted. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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This is Peter Steven Llevares reporting.